Throston is mostly modern housing on the edge of town, so a deck here is usually about making a newer garden work harder and keeping the wind off. Here's what to consider.
Houses and gardens
Throston ward has an even mix of terraces and semis. The 2021 Census counted 36.7% of homes as terraced, 36.4% semi-detached, 20.8% detached and 5.6% flats. 55.1% of households own their home, 27.4% rent from a social landlord and 15.5% rent privately; 1.7% are in shared ownership, the highest rate of any area on this site.
The estates around Throston Grange Lane are laid out on Falcon Road, Lapwing Road, Moorhen Road, Goldfinch Road and Goshawk Road, with closes such as Kittiwake, Nuthatch, Harrier, Guillemot, Siskin and Pintail, and a Welsh-named group including Radnor Grove, Glamorgan Grove, Caernarvon Grove, Penarth Walk and St Davids Walk. Throston Primary School, Springwell School and Throston Grange Library are in the middle, and Bishop Cuthbert and Hartfields are nearby. The site of the deserted medieval village of Low Throston lies close by.
Gardens on modern estates are often compact and rectangular, sometimes with a slope or a step at the back. Some, on the edges, face open ground or the golf course, which is lovely for views but lets the wind in. A deck tucked close to the house, with a screen on the exposed side, is often the most comfortable option.
Car ownership in the ward is moderate: 41.9% of households have one car or van and 28.2% have none, so not every house has a drive. On terraced streets, materials may need to come through the house or along a rear path. We plan the build around access before we start, cut boards close to length to reduce carrying, and protect floors and doorways.
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Ground and drainage
The British Geological Survey's 1:50,000 map shows till over Permian dolostone of the Roker Formation. Till is a stony clay that's firm below the topsoil but drains slowly.
On newer estates, the topsoil can be thin and laid over compacted subsoil and building rubble, so a lawn can stay wet long after rain. We dig through it to firm ground, set posts in concrete, and lay a membrane and gravel under the deck so water drains away. A test hole at each footing shows us what's there.
The Environment Agency's Flood Map for Planning shows no Flood Zone 2 or 3 within 300 metres of the centre of Throston, so river flooding isn't a concern.
Permission
planning.data.gov.uk shows no listed buildings near the centre of Throston. The Park Conservation Area, around Ward Jackson Park, is one of eight in Hartlepool and lies a short distance away, so homes near it should check the boundary.
For most homes, the Planning Portal's national rules apply. A deck is normally permitted development if it's no more than 30cm above the ground and, with other extensions and outbuildings, covers no more than half the garden. Raised decks above 30cm need planning permission, as does any deck at a flat or maisonette.
Planning permission for some modern estates removed or limited permitted development rights. Your deeds or the council's planning records will show whether that applies. If you're in shared ownership or rent, you'll also need consent from the housing provider or landlord.
Designs that work here
A low composite deck across the back of the house, with a slatted screen on the windward side and a built-in bench, makes a sheltered spot in an open garden. If the plot rises at the back, a second small deck at the top, reached by a couple of steps, can catch the late sun.
For a family garden, keep part of the lawn and choose a grippy board. See composite decking, balustrades and screens and our windy gardens guide.
Cost
We price after a visit. Size, height, board, screens, steps, lighting and access all count. Side access on many semis and detached houses keeps things straightforward. Our pricing guide explains each part of a quote.
Nearby
- West Park: just south.
- Hart: about 2km north-west.
- The Headland: about 4km east.
The areas page lists everywhere we cover.
Questions answered about decking in Throston
Do I need planning permission on a new estate?
Usually not for a low rear deck, but some estates had permitted development rights removed. We'll help you check.
My garden faces open ground. How do you keep the wind off?
A low deck close to the house and a screen fixed to strong posts on the exposed side.
Why does my lawn stay wet?
New-build gardens can have thin topsoil over compacted ground. A deck on a free-draining base solves it.
I'm in shared ownership. Can I have a deck?
Yes, with your housing provider's written consent. We can supply a drawing.
Sources: ONS Census 2021 TS044, TS045 and TS054, Throston ward (Nomis); planning.data.gov.uk: listed buildings and conservation areas; BGS Geology Viewer 1:50,000; Environment Agency Flood Map for Planning; OpenStreetMap; Planning Portal: decking.